Firsthand Guide to Bled is no longer available but most of the content of the book can be found here on this blog. 

Start here

The site will be updated throughout the year.

First published 24 May 2018 Page last updated 13 November 2019

 

The 2018 edition of Firsthand Guide to Bled is now available in Amazon in both Kindle and paperback. This what you will find in the Standard Edition. It is packed with information (no photos to keep the costs to a minimum).

Choose your usual Amazon outlet here: 

Search on Amazon “BLED SLOVENIA 2018: Standard Edition”

UK Amazon Paperback – Kindle – Amazon.com Paperback – Kindle – Amazon.de Paperback and Kindle – Amazon.it Paperback and Kindle – Amazon.es Paperback and Kindle – Amazon.fr Paperback and Kindle – Amazon.jp Paperback and Kindle

 

PART 1 – THE HARD FACTS 
What’s new for 2018? 
A quick word about language 
Arriving in Bled 
Getting around 
The Island 
Where to get Tourist Information 
Shopping for fun and survival 
Money 

PART 2 – BEST TIMES TO VISIT 
Spring (March, April, May) 
Summer (June, July, August)
Autumn (September, October, November) 
Winter (December January February) 

PART 3 – EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 
Music 
Slavko Avsenik 
Conferences 
Sports Events 
Bled Castle 
Bled Castle Events 

PART 4 – FOOD AND DRINK 
Best places for coffee (and 1 for tea) 
Best pubs 
Best pizza 
Recommended restaurants 
Donald and Melania Trump at Toplice Hotel Restaurant 
“Too much info. Decide for me, Davy!” 
The Best in Slovenia 
Some favourite Slovenian dishes 
Slovenian Wine 

PART 5 – PEOPLE IN BLED 
Župan (Mayor) of Bled 
Domen Kalajžič – Founder of 3glav Adventures 
Jernej Brence, Founder and Director Festival Bled 
Jernej Slivnik, General Secretary Bled Rowing 
Ana Pirih – Yoga Bled 
Lea Ferjan – Bled Castle and Bled Cultural Institute 
Leo Ličof – Okarina Music Festival 
Matjaž Repnik – Diving in Lake Bled 

And there’s more …

PART 6 – STORIES AND IDEAS 
What should I not miss on my first visit? 
The Antimuseum 
The Historic Pletna Boats 
The legends of the Sunken Bell and the Wishing Bell 
Bled Island – its history and traditions 
Seven things to do before 7:00 am 
10 “Must Dos” in Bled and around Lake Bled 

PART 7 – BLED AS A BASE 
Insider knowledge – Triglav National Park 
Go to Italy for lunch 
Nova Gorica and Gorizia 
The Heritage Train 
An easy morning and lunch in Radovljica 
Kranjska Gora 
Kranj, Škofja Loka and Tržič 
Christmas Market in Villach 

PART 8 – A FEW WORDS OF SLOVENIAN 
Appendix – Other Information 
To Bled from Jože Pučnik International Airport Ljubljana (Brnik) 
Airports 
Bus Train and other Transport 
Bus Operators 
Bicycle Hire in Bled 
Emergencies 
ATM – Cashpoint – Bankomat 
Mobile Phones